I wondered if Father felt the same incarcerated in prison, unable to build up any rapport with his fellow prisoners, maybe having to make do with a few words here and there from a kind warder.
I was at a loss on Saturdays too, because Mother minded two babies for shop girls and it was therefore impossible to get any peace at home. I’d tried to barricade myself into my bedroom, but little hands would scrabble at the doorknob, little feet would kick at the paint, little voices would wail until I let them in. Then they’d rampage around, pulling my beautiful books off the shelf and crumpling the pages, even prising my precious paintbox open and stabbing their little fingers into each palette. I’d try to be gentle with them, but I found them so irritating that eventually I’d snap and shout at them, and then they’d go sobbing to Mother.
‘For goodness’ sake, Opal, can’t you play nicely with them for ten minutes while I set the house to rights?’ she complained.
‘I’m trying to study. You’re the babyminder, not me,’ I said.
‘You’re the most intolerably selfish girl. What sort of a daughter are you? If only Cassie could stay home on Saturday.’
‘Well, she doesn’t make much effort to be here on Sundays, either, does she,’ I said.
‘Yes, because she’s out with her young man. I dare say that’s why you’re being so sulky, because your young man didn’t come to anything.’
I was so infuriated by this statement that I grabbed my coat and stormed out of the house altogether. I was determined not to return until dark, when the babies were reclaimed. I had nowhere to go, though, and no spare money to take myself up to London to see the grand shops and galleries. So I decided to go to a suffrage meeting.
IT WAS HELD at ten thirty in the St Joan of Arc church hall in Ledbury Street, across town. It would take me forty minutes to walk there so I’d be late for the start, but I thought I’d be able to slip in at the back. It felt good to walk at first, though I couldn’t stride out in Cassie’s narrow skirts. At least I was out of the gloomy little house. The only exercise I got nowadays was walking to and from Fairy Glen. I loved my new job in design, but it was taxing sitting cramped in one position all day long. I’d been suffering from all sorts of aches in my neck and shoulders and back, but now I found myself stretching comfortably.
I started to get nervous as I turned into Ledbury Street. I wasn’t sure what I was letting myself in for. I didn’t know what happened at these meetings. I didn’t really know what suffragettes were like. Mother said they were a disgrace, shrill and unwomanly, and couldn’t see why they made such a fuss about a silly thing like a vote. Cassie said they were man-haters and looked a sight. I had quite naturally taken the opposite point of view. I found their ideas liberating, but I tended to think of these women as warriors, almost mythical, like Boadicea and Joan of Arc herself.
Mrs Roberts wasn’t shrill – she looked quite beautiful, and I couldn’t imagine her battling with police and politicians. If the Joan of Arc hall was full of ladies like Mrs Roberts, I would feel very shy, but find the assembly inspirational.
I reached the hall at last, hot from my brisk walk, though it was a chilly day and I had mittens, and a muffler wound round my neck. I fumbled with these, taking them off and stuffing them in my pockets. Then I took a deep breath and crept in through the front door.
I stood in the vestibule for a few seconds, hearing someone giving an impassioned speech, though I couldn’t distinguish the words. Then I pushed the inner doors open and edged inside.
The hall was crowded, everyone straining forward to listen to the lady on the platform. Several women craned round to stare at the intruder. One put her fingers to her lips, another shook her head at me, and a third gestured to an empty chair at the end of her row. I tiptoed as silently as I could, though I was painfully aware of the creaking of my old boots. I sat down, feeling hot all over now, peering around at everyone in the audience.
I couldn’t see Mrs Roberts herself, but there were many women who looked similar to her, quietly dignified and ultra-respectable. Some at the front were even grander than Mrs Roberts, judging by their elaborate, fancy hats. I wondered if Cassie had made any of them! But there were many other kinds of women there too – some in clothes far shabbier than mine, some in old borrowed men’s coats, some with just a shawl over a thin dress. Some were quite young, almost as young as me, and some were surprisingly old, wrinkled and white haired. Some were fine-looking women with beautiful profiles. Some were alarmingly fierce. One had a nose just like a hawk’s beak. Oh my Lord – it was Miss Mountbank!
I shrank back in my seat, my heart thudding. I certainly didn’t want an encounter with old Mounty, of all people. For a moment I wondered if I’d better creep out again, but I didn’t dare make another disturbance, so I sat still. After a while I actually started to listen. The lady on the platform was elegantly dressed in furs and a very fine hat. She was small and delicate, but her voice was clearly audible even at the back of the hall. She spoke very fluently, though she had no notes at all, and stood in one spot all the time, gesturing gracefully with her arms. She was addressing hundreds, yet she seemed to be talking just to me.
She spoke of the injustice of a world where we were all born equal in the sight of God, yet it was always the lot of women to come second. She addressed the argument that women should not have the vote because they were uninformed and could not make coherent decisions. She said that it should be every girl’s right to be properly educated, that further education should be available to everyone, that women should be granted a proper degree if they fought their way through a university course. She said that women should be able to pursue proper careers if that was their wish.
Of course it was a woman’s right to marry and have a family, but she needed liberation within the marital home too. As the law stood, even the most inadequate father had the final say in the upbringing of his children. He could remove them from the care of a loving mother, and quite legally cast her out into the streets and deny her access to them. The law needed to be changed. The only way this could be achieved was to give the vote to all adult Englishwomen. Then they could vote for decent, right-thinking men to represent them in Parliament. Indeed, they could vote for women to become Members of Parliament. One day there might even be a woman prime minister leading the country.
‘We will work shoulder to shoulder, ladies, and achieve votes for women in our lifetime,’ she said. ‘But I’ve been speaking long enough. Remember our slogan, my friends: Deeds, not words.’
There was a great burst of applause. I clapped too. I felt like standing up on my chair and cheering. I’d never heard such stirring words in all my life.
Another woman got up to speak, and then another. I dare say they all made their points perfectly well, but they seemed weak and disappointing compared to the first woman. Their speeches were dull and prosaic, whereas she had spoken like an inspired leader, her voice soaring, her eyes flashing.
I found myself yawning and fidgeting. It was an enormous relief when the last of the women finished. Then everyone sang a very stirring song, rather like a hymn. The woman next to me gave me a sheet of paper with the words written down. By the time they reached the last verse I knew the tune and could sing out with the others.
‘Life, strife, these two are one,
Naught can ye win but by faith and daring;
On, on, that ye have done
But for the work of today preparing.
Firm in reliance, laugh a defiance,
(Laugh in hope, for sure is the end).
March, march, many as one,
Shoulder to shoulder and friend to friend.’
We were told that light refreshments were now available. I nudged the woman next to me.
‘Excuse me, but could you tell me who that lady was – the first one, with the furs?’
She looked at me as if I were simple. ‘That was Mrs Pankhurst,’ she said. ‘Have you never heard her talk before? She’s wonderful, isn’t she?’
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‘Yes, quite wonderful,’ I said.
I rather hoped she’d stay and talk to me, but she went off towards the tea-urn with a friend. Nearly all the women seemed to know each other and were talking earnestly. I did not know anyone in the room apart from Miss Mountbank, and I certainly wasn’t going to start chatting to her.
She was deep in conversation with some other schoolmarmy lady in a severe suit and tie, but she suddenly looked across the room and seemed startled when she spotted me. I decided to make a run for it before she could approach. I elbowed my way through the huddle of ladies waiting for their tea and biscuits – and walked straight into Mrs Roberts.
‘Oh my goodness, it’s little Opal!’ she said. She looked more distinguished than ever, in a beautifully cut purple and black two-piece, with green glass beads at her neck, and a white satin sash worn over her bosom like a queen.
I bobbed my head at her shyly.
‘What on earth are you doing here?’ she said.
I stared at her. ‘You invited me, didn’t you? You gave me the literature.’
‘Yes, I did. I give leaflets to all the likely girls at Fairy Glen, but you’re the first one to attend a meeting. Well done, Opal! I’m proud of you. Did you find it inspirational? Weren’t there some wonderful speakers!’
She was standing with one of the later speakers, a particularly droning one who had nearly sent me to sleep, so I couldn’t be truthful in case this woman was a friend of Mrs Roberts.
‘I especially liked listening to Mrs Pankhurst,’ I said.
It was clearly the right thing to say, because all the women smiled, the droning one most of all.
‘Isn’t she quite marvellous!’ said Mrs Roberts. ‘We always feel so honoured when she attends one of our branch meetings. I know her slightly. Would you like me to introduce you?’
‘I think she’s going straight to luncheon with Lady Rendlesham,’ said the droning woman.
‘Then I shall have to be quick,’ said Mrs Roberts, taking my hand.
She hurried me through the crowd of women towards the platform, where Mrs Pankhurst was surrounded by the rich ladies in fancy hats.
‘Excuse me, I wonder if . . .? I don’t like to interrupt, but . . .’ said Mrs Roberts tentatively.
They took no notice. Oh my goodness – fancy ignoring Mrs Roberts. They must be very grand indeed to snub her. But Mrs Pankhurst herself wasn’t grand at all. She turned, and when she saw Mrs Roberts there, rather pink in the face, she smiled delightfully.
‘Hello, my dear. It’s Mrs Roberts, isn’t it?’
I felt Mrs Roberts squeeze my hand, thrilled that she had been remembered.
‘I thought your speech was excellent today, Mrs Pankhurst – very stirring. Young Opal here was particularly impressed. She is our newest and youngest member and a very ardent supporter,’ she said, pushing me forward.
‘Dear heavens, she’s just a little girl,’ said one of the fine ladies dismissively, and another couple tittered. They were almost as bad as Patty and her friends, for all they were so well-to-do. My own cheeks burned. But Mrs Pankhurst herself was a true lady.
‘Welcome to the Women’s Social and Political Union, Opal,’ she said, solemnly shaking my hand. ‘I’m so proud and happy that young women like you are joining us. You will be our fighters for the future.’
‘I shall fight very fiercely for the cause,’ I said seriously.
She did smile a little at that, but very sweetly. ‘What is your full name?’
‘Opal Plumstead.’
‘A distinctive name. You are a very distinctive girl,’ said Mrs Pankhurst. She looked as if she wanted to stay chatting to Mrs Roberts and me, but the Lady Rendlesham woman interrupted rudely.
‘My car is waiting at the front, Mrs Pankhurst. Allow me to assist you through the crowd.’
Mrs Pankhurst sighed. ‘Ah well, it seems I must go. But I hope to see you again, Opal Plumstead. I shall look out for you at future meetings,’ she said. ‘Goodbye, dear. Goodbye, Mrs Roberts. Thank you for bringing her.’
Mrs Roberts and I were left staring after her, both of us star-struck.
‘Oh, she’s quite wonderful,’ I said.
‘Isn’t she just,’ Mrs Roberts agreed. ‘I’m so glad you came, Opal. When you’re an old, old lady, you’ll be able to tell your great-grandchildren that you once met Mrs Pankhurst.’
‘I’m not going to have any great-grandchildren, Mrs Roberts. I shall stay single and fight for women’s rights,’ I said grandly.
She smiled at me. ‘Well, I suppose we’d better both go home for lunch.’
‘Yes.’ I nodded, though I couldn’t bear the thought of going back home just yet. I surreptitiously fingered the few coins in my pocket, wondering if I had enough for a bowl of soup in an ABC teashop.
I think Mrs Roberts saw me do this. She suddenly said, ‘Tell you what – why don’t you come home and have lunch with me?’
I was as astonished as if it were an invitation to Buckingham Palace. ‘Really?’ I said stupidly.
‘Really!’ said Mrs Roberts. ‘Come along, then.’ She put her hand lightly on my shoulder and steered me towards the door.
‘Oh my goodness, Opal Plumstead!’ Miss Mountbank stood in front of me. ‘Whatever are you doing here?’
‘Good afternoon, Miss Mountbank,’ I said. ‘I could ask the same of you.’
She looked outraged. It was so wonderful to realize that she had no power over me now. She could order me to do a thousand lines and I didn’t need to write a single word of them.
‘How dare you be so impertinent!’ said Miss Mountbank. She looked at Mrs Roberts. ‘This girl is incorrigible. She comes from a bad family.’
‘I disagree entirely,’ said Mrs Roberts. ‘Opal is my protégée. Excuse us, please.’ She led me out of the door.
I grinned at her in triumph. ‘Oh, Mrs Roberts, that was splendid of you. I can’t bear Miss Mountbank. She can’t bear me, either, as is obvious! She’s a teacher at my old school.’
‘I had similar teachers at my old school,’ said Mrs Roberts. ‘Still, she’s a sister supporter of the cause.’
‘I’m not sure I’d want to march shoulder to shoulder with Miss Mountbank,’ I said. ‘And she’s certainly not my friend.’
‘You’ve picked up our terminology already, Opal. Well done! You’re a bright girl, even though you were obviously the bane of Miss Mountbank’s life.’
‘I won’t be the bane of your life, Mrs Roberts, I promise. You’ve been wondrously fair to me,’ I said as we went outside.
There were several chauffeurs standing beside motor cars, waiting attentively. To my intense joy, one of these men came hurrying up to Mrs Roberts. ‘This way, madam. The car is just up here.’
I’d never been for a ride in a motor car before. Oh, wait till Cassie heard! Even her precious Mr Evandale didn’t own a car.
It was the most glorious fun to sit beside Mrs Roberts and drive off through the town. We went so fast too. I hadn’t secured my hat with enough pins, so I had to hang onto it with one hand, while clinging to the leather upholstery with the other to stop myself sliding into Mrs Roberts. Most of my hair escaped and flapped in my face, and my eyes watered in the wind so that I could hardly see where I was going. Mrs Roberts had a special veil that acted as a shield. She stayed immaculate throughout the journey.
I was very curious to see where her house was. I thought it might be one of the grander ones overlooking the park. I was taken aback when the chauffeur drove right through the town, up a hill, and then down a little wooded lane, practically in the countryside. We went along this lane more slowly, pebbles rattling under the wheels, until we came to a pair of great ornamental gates. The chauffeur jumped out and unlocked them with a flourish, then drove along a narrow sandy path surrounded on either side by dark green bushes.
‘My rhododendrons,’ said Mrs Roberts. ‘They are an absolute picture in spring – such splendid pinks and purples and crimsons.’
‘It
’s as if you live in a real fairy glen,’ I said.
The house was certainly like an enchanted palace. It even had turrets and a round tower.
‘A medieval castle!’ I breathed, knowing nothing of architecture.
‘Hardly,’ said Mrs Roberts. ‘It’s Victorian Gothic, built for my father-in-law. I married his only son, so now it’s mine.’
‘Do you live here all alone, Mrs Roberts?’
‘I have my dear son, but he is away at school during term time. He is in his last year and will go up to Oxford for the Michaelmas term.’
‘My father went to Oxford,’ I said eagerly. ‘He always hoped I might go there too.’
‘Would you like to, Opal?’
‘I used to think so. But my circumstances are very different now, as you know,’ I said. ‘I was very cast down, but now that I can paint all day, I am happy.’
It was becoming a little tedious painting the same designs day after day. I’d had more than enough of butterflies, meadows and roses. When I closed my eyes at night, butterflies fluttered about the room, the lino turned into meadow grass and roses bloomed around my pillow. But I didn’t want to tell Mrs Roberts this in case she thought me ungrateful. I knew she’d given me a remarkable opportunity. Miss Lily had impressed upon me that she’d never promoted any other girls from the factory floor to the design room.
The chauffeur opened the car door for us. I jumped out and gazed up the stone steps. The name of the house was engraved in the stone of the porch – Fairy Glen, just like the factory. The sea-green front door had a brass serpent knocker.